This easy Tiramisu recipe is going to become your go-to dessert! Espresso-soaked ladyfingers combined with a rich and creamy sweet cream, dusted with cocoa powder.
If you love coffee, make my delicious Caramel Brulee Latte or an Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte!
EASY TIRAMISU RECIPE
Nothing beats a rich classic tiramisu. Rich mascarpone cream layered with coffee-soaked ladyfingers, and a dusting of cocoa powder. Not only is this homemade tiramisu cake delicious but it is so easy to make! Make this tiramisu for the holidays, dinner parties, or just for a weeknight sweet treat.
WHAT YOU NEED-
- Ladyfingers– Any brand of ladyfingers will work! You can find them at almost all grocery stores. You can also substitute ladyfingers for pound cake, sponge cake, or even vanilla wafers.
- Espresso– Any strong coffee will work, either strong brewed coffee, espresso, or instant pot works great! You can adjust the level of coffee strength based on your coffee strength likeness.
- Coffee Liquor– Adding coffee liquor to the coffee adds so much flavor and is a must in tiramisu! You can also swap coffee liquor for rum or imitation rum.
- Cream Cheese– Either original or low-fat cream cheese can be used! Be sure the cream cheese is softened.
- Mascarpone Cheese– The key to the cream in a classic tiramisu is using mascarpone cheese! You do not want to skip the mascarpone cheese.
- Cream– Use fresh heavy whipping cream to ensure that it whips properly.
- Sugar– To sweet the tiramisu cream, this recipe calls for powdered sugar, also known as confectioners’ sugar.
- Vanilla– Vanilla extract is added to enhance flavors.
- Cocoa Powder– The final touch a classic tiramisu cake is dusting it with cocoa powder! I like using Hershey’s unsweetened cocoa powder.
HOW TO MAKE TIRAMISU
With just a few easy steps you can have this tiramisu recipe ready in no time!
- Mix the heavy whipping cream until fluffy and stiff cool whip texture forms.
- With a mixer, mix cream cheese and mascarpone cheese until creamy. Add the sugar and vanilla and mix again to combine.
- Fold in the whipped cream and mix until fully combined.
- Add a small layer of cream to the bottom of the casserole dish.
- Soak a ladyfinger in the coffee & liquor mixture and transfer to the casserole dish. (Make sure to soak them fully, just do not over soak to avoid overly soggy ladyfingers.)
- Repeat the soaking process, layering the bottom of the dish with lady fingers. (Be sure to have an even amount of lady fingers for both layers.)
- Top the ladyfingers layer with half of the cream, spreading evenly over the ladyfingers. Then dust it with cocoa powder.
- Continue soaking the ladyfingers, making a second layer of soaked ladyfingers.
- Top the final ladyfinger layer with the rest of the cream, spreading evenly over the entire dish.
- Dust the top with cocoa powder, covering the cream.
- Cover and chill in the fridge.
- Slice and serve cold or room temp. (Remove the tiramisu a little bit before serving the cream to soften a bit for the best results.)
TIRAMISU VARIATIONS
There are so many different tiramisu variations that you can do! Here are some classic tiramisu variations other than the classic tiramisu!
- Pumpkin Tiramisu– If you love all things pumpkin, try making pumpkin spice tiramisu!
- Nutella Tiramisu– This is for chocolate lovers! Add a 1/3 cup of Nutella to the cream and top the tiramisu with cocoa powder and chocolate shavings!
- Strawberry Tiramisu– Swap the coffee with strawberry puree and milk or strawberry liquor. Add layered strawberries between the cream layers and topping instead of cocoa powder.
- Oreo Tiramisu– Replace the ladyfingers for Oreos and soak in milk instead of coffee and top with crushed Oreos!
- Pistachio– Add about ½ cup of pistachio cream or pasta to the cream. Skip the cocoa powder and top with crushed pistachios.
- Peppermint Mocha Tiramisu– Add some peppermint extract to the cream and mix chocolate and coffee for the soaking. Top with crushed candy canes. The perfect holiday dessert!
TIRAMISU CUPS-
Did you know you can individual tiramisu cups out of this recipe?! Just get some cut serving cups.
- Add the cream into a piping bag. Lay out about 10-15 serving ups.
- Pipe about 2-3 Tbsps of cream to the bottom the cup.
- Break the lady finger in half and soak both halves and add to the cup. Add some more cream and another soaked ladyfinger, halved.
- Top with a dallop of cream and dust with dusted cocoa powder.
- Repeat until all the lady fingers and cream are gone.
- Add the tiramisu cups to a tray and cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge until ready to serve!
QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE:
No! What makes this simple tiramisu is the easy cream that requires no work with egg yolks!
Although the liquor adds additional flavors, it is not mandatory in this recipe.
Yes! Tiramisu is recommended to be made ahead of time. You want the soaked ladyfinger to sit in the cream. Make up to 1-2 days ahead of time!
Yes! Tiramisu freezes GREAT! Assemble the cake but don’t dust it with cocoa powder. Cover with plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 3 months! Thaw in the fridge overnight, top with cocoa powder and serve. (You can also freeze in a freezer safe container.)
Tiramisu when stored in the fridge, covered properly will last up to 2-3 days!
If the ladyfingers are mushy and fall apart even before you put them in the dish, it its over soaked, do NOT use it. You want to dip in the coffee, flip and dip the other side and remove.
OTHER DESSERT RECIPES-
Give these other delicious and easy dessert recipes a try!
Easy Tiramisu Recipe
Ingredients
- 7 oz lady fingers
- cocoa powder for dusting
Strong Coffee-
- 1/4 cup instant coffee
- 1 1/3 cup boiling water
- 2 tsp coffee liqueur or rum optional
Cream-
- 8 oz mascarpone cream
- 2/3 cup heavy whipping cream
- 5 oz cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix the heavy whipping cream with a mixer on high until the cream becomes fluffy and turned into whipped cream texture. Set aside. (Do not overmix or it will lose its stiffness.)
- In a separate bowl, with a mixer, mix the mascarpone cheese and cream cheese until creamy and smooth.
- Add powdered sugar and vanilla to the cream cheese mixture and mix to combine.
- Gently fold in the whipped cream until fully combined.
- Add a small layer of cream to the bottom of your casserole dish, spreading evenly along the bottom. (I use a 7.5×6 inch dish.)
- In a deep bowl, combine hot water, instant coffee, and coffee liquor. (You can swap instant coffee for strong brewed coffee or espresso shots.)
- Dip a ladyfinger into the strong coffee, quickly flip and then remove it from the coffee, adding to the casserole dish. (Make sure to soak them fully, just do not over soak to avoid overly soggy ladyfingers.)
- Repeat the soaking process, layering the bottom of the dish with lady fingers. (Be sure to have an even of lady fingers for both layers.)
- Top the first layer of soaked lady fingers with half of the sweet cream, carefully spreading the cream evenly over them.
- Dust the cream with some cocoa powder.
- Continue soaking the ladyfingers, making a second layer of soaked ladyfingers.
- Top with ladyfinger layer with the rest of the cream, spreading evenly over the entire dish.
- Dust the top with cocoa powder, covering the cream.
- Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 2-4 hours, or overnight.
- Slice and serve cold or room temp. (Remove the tiramisu a little bit before serving the cream to soften a bit for the best results.)
Leave a Reply